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PRAIRIE FLOWERS

Aug. 23, 2013

DCCF grant appreciated

To the Editor:

Somonauk Summer Recreation wishes to extend a huge thank-you to the DeKalb County Community Foundation once again. We received another grant in November 2012 in the amount of $2,500, which is so very much appreciated.

This year the Corn Belt League, for 11- and 12-year-old boys, implemented a rule change that required the base paths to be extended from 60 feet to 70 feet. This rule change is good for the players but did have a financial impact on our organization. Thanks to the grant, we were able to adapt one of the community park fields to accommodate the new 70-foot base paths without using our own funds.

One of Somonauk’s local businesses (Midwest Dirt Works) did all the work with a hometown discount to not exceed the funds received from the grant.

We at SSR will continue to work for the children of the community and, with financial assistance provided by the DeKalb County Community Foundation, we are able to move forward with improvements at a much quicker pace. All the people that are touched by the grant are thankful for an organization such as DCCF and we wish them all the success in the future.

Somonauk Summer Recreation Board

Kingston Fest the best ever

To the Editor:

Hand in Hand would like to thank all those who made Kingston Fest a huge success. Besides providing a wonderful event for all who attended, we will use the proceeds to support and improve our other projects: the Kingston Community Sharing Library, the Village Green, annual Halloween party, Easter in the Park, Neighbor to Neighbor bimonthly newsletter, and a $500 scholarship awarded to a Genoa-Kingston High School graduating senior who has demonstrated a commitment to volunteerism.

We’d like to thank the Village of Kingston for sponsoring the Kardboard Boat Regatta, and KishHealth System, Kingston Township Park District, HR Green and The Corner Cobbler for funding the inflatables – the kids had a great time, and especially enjoyed the water slide and laser tag.

Thanks to the sponsors of our raffle ticket cash prizes: Barbara J. Runne DDS; Willard Aves Post 1010; Jami Ullmark – American Family Insurance; the Kingston Friendship Center; and Balance Wellness & Chiropractic. Thank you to Kingston Township Park District for funding Culver’s frozen custard served to a most appreciative crowd, and to Lori Swanson for her help in planning the event; to Waste Management for supplying the port-o-lets and handwashing stations; to the Friendship Center for their food booth, and the members of Crossroads Church for providing free water to all.

Kingston Fest could not have happened without the help of dozens of volunteers. Thanks to Michelle Helgeson, Cris Woodin, Chris Ewald, DeAnn Hawkins, Tracy Barber, Tina and Anastasia Wade, Jaylin, Kathy and Billy Sagatto, Jordan and Connie Rich and Danny Gallagher for their help with the kiddie games and ticket table and to Averil Schreiber, Jane DiAna and Elsie Sanford for operating the Kingston Library Book Sale.

Thank you to all those who took the time and made the effort to build cardboard boats – we had 11 boats this year – the most ever! Special thanks to Michael Haines, Jack Fischer and David and Lexi Howie for their assistance with the boat race; and to the main crew, Taunya Fischer, Dianne Howie, Lana Haines and Ila Barber for months of planning, securing sponsors, scheduling volunteers and for making this year’s Kingston Fest the best ever.

Hand in Hand Community Group

Kingston

Thanks for sponsoring Kids’ Pull

To the Editor:

The Somonauk Education Foundation would like to thank the following sponsors of our Kids’ Pull in the Park during Somonauk’s SummerFest: Arends Hogan Walker, Stacey Dolder DeKalb Seed, YMCA and Kendall County Farm Bureau Young Leaders.

The kid’s pedal pull had 46 participants this year. The top puller in each of the five classes received a trophy and everyone received a participation ribbon. The foundation offers the Kid’s Pull in the Park at no cost to the participants.

SEF also would like to thank the Illini State Pullers for a very successful Calcutta during the evening truck pull. And a special thank-you to the many bidders on the trucks. Donations allow SEF to award five $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors and to award mini grants to the Somonauk schools.

Somonauk Education Foundation directors

‘Why Sycamore Works’ a great read

To the Editor:

Congratulations and many thanks to Michelle Donahoe and the Sycamore Historical Museum for the booklet “Why Sycamore Works” about Sycamore industrial history.

We often say how indebted we are to those who worked to make Sycamore so great, but this is part of the evidence in real people’s lives who “walked the talk” especially after World War II when so many successful hard-working folks returned home to Sycamore and rolled up their sleeves and used self reliance, persistence, financial acumen, and “gettin’ after it” every day to provide quality jobs with which folks could buy and build homes, raise families, fund schools and the City of Sycamore.

When we say business is the life blood of this community and every other one too, we know these are not idle words and that they mean something. This work goes a long way to personify and document the challenges and opportunities which provided the fire in the belly to perfect and purify that which was, is, and will be Sycamore, a great place to live, work, learn, worship and play.

Everyone should gladly pay the $10 to own this booklet, which is available at the Sycamore History Museum. Thanks again!

Ken Mundy

Mayor of Sycamore

'Company' production was excellent

To the Editor:

Kudos to Stagecoach Theatre's production of Sondheim's "Company." What an excellent performance of a great musical! Even with the difficult music, they could have been on Broadway! Thanks for bringing this to DeKalb!

Jeneane Bejnarowicz

Shabbona

sizzling summer special

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